TP

I was driving home and the gas light came on indicating that I had 20 miles remaining in the tank. There was a gas station about a mile from where I was so I figured there wouldn't be any problem. The car sputtered out about 1/4 mile from where I was. There was no question about it; the car was out of gas.

Fortunately my wife was on her way home so she brought me a gas can filled with 2 gallons of gas. I put the 2 gallons of gas in the car and drove the 3/4 mile to the gas station where I proceeded to put 18.184 more gallons into the tank.

By itself, the 18.184 gallons of gas is questionable when the capacity of the car is 16.3. Throw in another 2 gallons and it's downright wrong. Makes one wonder.

EighTT

I've also had this happen and I have no idea why.

pacman

looks like the gas stations are out to cheat us

garreTTk

I'd then send a copy of the receipt, a copy of the specs on your car showing the capacity of the tank is less than the amount supposedly pumped to the Weighs and Means Dept of your state. It may be called something different (I don't know where you are) but each service pump must be certifed by the state on a regular basis.

I'd challenge this one like crazy.

TTRicks

that is what they are called in California. I reported a similar thing a few years back. The Bureau said that they were 2-3 years behind in their checking on pumps, but when a complaint is lodged they will respond immediately. They found the pump was off and ordered the owner to shut it down until recalibrated. It was very interesting to me that they did not test any of the other pumps at the station, only the one I complained about! They said the only way compensation would happen is if the owner did it willingly (say, do you want to pay me back for the overcharge on your screwed up pump? He didn't) or take him to small claims court. There were no penalties.